Unexpected exhaust leak - right HE

[Jim Richards]

I've been trying to wrap up the various projects that I've been doing on our 73E this past month. From the minute I first started up the engine, there was a loud ticking from the passenger side (down low) on the engine and after a short time I noticed exhaust gas coming out that side of the engine. The ticking doesn't sound like a valve out of adjustment, and I did verify that the valve is adjusted properly. At first, it seemed that the exhaust leak was up by the gaskets to the heads.

I pulled the HE off, replaced the gaskets and tried it again. This time it's still ticking, and there's no leakage from around the gaskets, but instead it's leaking where the pipes come out of the HE. See the pic for an illustration of where it's leaking (note that I actually have stock HE's, not SSI's).

I feel like this HE has at least one pipe that's leaking exhaust gas into the fresh air side of the HE. Is it reasonable to think that this is the problem? Is it common for this to happen in an older 911? Thanks.

[Early_S_Man]

Jim,

A fairly common and very dangerous situation for old, mild steel HE's! Garretson Enterprises used to advocate the use of CO test monitor strips for older cars because of the danger! Carbon monoxide in the passenger cabin is not to be taken lightly!

Best solution is a set of SSI's ...

[Jim Richards]

Thanks Warren. Marcesq came by and his prognosis was leaking HE, too. As you said, it's time for a set of SSIs.